A protest by job aspirants in Patna turned confrontational on Monday, 5 October 2026, as candidates opposing the cancellation of the main examination for the recruitment of 1,799 Bihar Police Sub-Inspectors clashed with police near JP Golambar. The demonstration, which drew a large number of aspirants, is among the most volatile episodes yet in the ongoing dispute over the Bihar Police SI recruitment process.

How the Protest Unfolded

The candidates began their march from Gandhi Maidan, moving towards JP Golambar, where police had erected barricades to prevent them from advancing further. When protesters were stopped at the barricades, a confrontation broke out between the demonstrators and police personnel. According to reports, police resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd and restore order.

Videos showing male and female candidates confronting police personnel surfaced widely, though the complete context and sequence of events in the individual clips could not be independently verified.

The DSP Raghav Dayal Controversy

A separate video circulating from the protest site shows Masaurhi DSP Raghav Dayal at the demonstration. Claims have emerged that the officer was holding a baton and attempting to push protesters back during the police action. Local reports have confirmed his presence at the site during the baton use, but the footage alone does not establish the full circumstances or sequence of events surrounding his actions.

What the Candidates Demanded

After being stopped near JP Golambar, the protesters sat on the road and refused to move until they secured a direct meeting with the Chief Minister. Police officials appealed for calm and asked protesters to nominate a five-member delegation to present their demands through formal channels. The candidates, however, remained firm on their demand for a face-to-face meeting with the Chief Minister and declined the delegation offer.

At the core of the agitation is the cancellation of the main examination for 1,799 Sub-Inspector posts in the Bihar Police, with candidates seeking clarity on when and how the recruitment process will be revived.

Background and Wider Context

Exam cancellations in competitive government recruitment have sparked repeated unrest across Bihar in recent years. The state has seen similar protests over teacher recruitment, constable examinations, and other public-sector hiring processes. Critics argue that systemic gaps in examination administration — including paper leaks and procedural lapses — have eroded trust among lakhs of aspirants who invest years preparing for such opportunities. This is the latest in a series of such confrontations between job seekers and authorities in the state.

The situation remained tense as the day progressed, with protesters continuing to press their demands and seeking direct intervention from the state's top political leadership.